You made it out alive! Congrats on making it through another semester! I hope you experienced God in new, exciting ways these past 3-4 months and that you didn’t hit the “burnout” brick wall mid-semester. Here’s a list of things to do to make the most out of your time off over the next few weeks!
1. Absolutely nothing
Just don’t do it. 🙂
2. Reflect and analyze last semester
Now is the time to think about what actually just happened this semester. What were your strengths and weaknesses? How could you make things better? What did God teach you about leading people to him?
3. Plan next semester
After you analyze, start dreaming up vision and ideas for next semester. Try to do this within the first week of January, so you’ll have enough time to implement some of these in time for the semester to start.
4. Read a new book
I hated reading books until I graduated college. Reading a cool book is a great way to be productive while resting at the same time. I’m going to try and read “What is Reformed Theology” by R.C. Sproul over the next few weeks.
5. Raise support
This doesn’t apply to all of us, but a great deal of us college ministry folk should use this extra time to tell stories and ask for financial support from some new prospects over break.
6. Stay in touch with students via social media
Just because your students are away doesn’t mean they don’t exist. Keep updating your ministry group/page, and keep chatting and interacting on your personal page with your students.
7. Focus on a hobby
Saw a board in half. Grow a beard. Run a 5k. Knit a scarf. Take some pictures. Write a song. Go on a hike. Whatever makes you excited to live life, just do it!
8. Write a sermon
You’ll likely be speaking to your group at some point this semester. Why not get ahead of the game and plan out a sermon now, so you won’t feel rushed later?
9. Spark vision among student leaders
I have a special Facebook group with all of my student leaders where we bounce around ideas and ask each other for prayer. Now is the time to start asking for opinions and vision from these guys.
10. Visit another church
A number of my students attend churches that aren’t the ministry’s supporting church, and I haven’t gotten a chance to check out their services. I’m looking forward to introducing myself and looking for ways to partner with other local churches to reach the campus.
11. Go on a vacation
Just do it.
12. Don’t waste time on social media
I know I said to stay in touch with your students via social media, but don’t overdo it. It’s too easy to waste massive amounts of time looking through newsfeeds on various social networks. Before you know it, break will be over, and you’ll only have watched a bunch of cat videos.